Nikon P520 vs Sony A380

On this page, we will be comparing the Nikon P520 vs Sony A380, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and A380 (14MP) and the P520 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The P520 was introduced 3 years later than the A380 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the P520 grades against the A380 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix P520 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The whole galleries are available at Nikon P520 Gallery & Sony A380 Gallery.

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon P520 provides physical measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A380 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon P520 vs Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the P520 versus the A380.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P520 and A380 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Typically, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The graphic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the P520 and A380.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The P520 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Nikon P520 will produce greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent P520 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.